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Historical event dossier · Political, Legal

Accusations to Ahasuerus and the Rehum–Shimshai letter to Artaxerxes; the city's rebuilding stopped (Ezra 4:6–23)

Researched — not human reviewedRevision 1Last reviewed: not reviewed

Human review pending. 1 item from this dossier is awaiting the project owner's review: “Disputed: are the kings of Ezra 4:6–23 Xerxes and Artaxerxes I (a topical insertion about the walls) or Cambyses and Pseudo-Smerdis (Josephus; older expositors)?” (queued 2026-10-13, status open). All classifications on this page are machine-proposed unless marked otherwise. Review happens offline. This site has no review controls.

Biblical references

Text: World English Bible (public domain). The ESV and NKJV are the preferred study translations and are referenced, not reproduced.

Ezra 4:6–23Narration
6 In the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem. 7 In the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his companions wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in Syrian and delivered in the Syrian language. 8 Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows. 9 Then Rehum the chancellor, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions, the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Shushanchites, the Dehaites, the Elamites, 10 and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Osnappar brought over and settled in the city of Samaria, and in the rest of the country beyond the River, and so forth, wrote. 11 This is the copy of the letter that they sent: To King Artaxerxes, from your servants, the people beyond the River. 12 Be it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us to Jerusalem. They are building the rebellious and bad city, and have finished the walls and repaired the foundations. 13 Be it known now to the king that if this city is built and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and in the end it will be hurtful to the kings. 14 Now because we eat the salt of the palace and it is not appropriate for us to see the king’s dishonor, therefore we have sent and informed the king, 15 that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. You will see in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful to kings and provinces, and that they have started rebellions within it in the past. That is why this city was destroyed. 16 We inform the king that if this city is built and the walls finished, then you will have no possession beyond the River. 17 Then the king sent an answer to Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions who live in Samaria, and in the rest of the country beyond the River: Peace. 18 The letter which you sent to us has been plainly read before me. 19 I decreed, and search has been made, and it was found that this city has made insurrection against kings in the past, and that rebellion and revolts have been made in it. 20 There have also been mighty kings over Jerusalem who have ruled over all the country beyond the River; and tribute, custom, and toll was paid to them. 21 Make a decree now to cause these men to cease, and that this city not be built until a decree is made by me. 22 Be careful that you not be slack doing so. Why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings? 23 Then when the copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went in haste to Jerusalem to the Jews, and made them to cease by force of arms.

Biblical account

Layer: Biblical text

At the beginning of Ahasuerus's reign an accusation was written. In the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath and Tabeel wrote, and Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe sent an Aramaic letter: the Jews were rebuilding the rebellious city and finishing its walls, would pay no tribute, and the king should search the records. Artaxerxes found that Jerusalem had revolted against kings and had had mighty kings ruling Beyond the River, and ordered the work stopped until he should decree; Rehum and Shimshai stopped it by force.

Historical overview

Layer: Historical reconstruction · Period: Reigns of Xerxes (486–465) and Artaxerxes I (465–424), on the majority reading

The letter concerns the city and its walls, not the Temple (Ezra 4:12, 16). On the majority reading the section is a topical insertion recording later opposition; it would precede Nehemiah's commission (Neh 1:3; 2:1–8).[1, 2, 3]

Kingdoms: Achaemenid Persian Empire, Kingdom of Judah

Date and chronology derivation

Ranges are computed by the project's deterministic chronology engine from the biblical statements and each model's reign anchors. They are reconstructions, not independent dates.

537 BC – ?

Model-independent (applies under every chronology model) · precision: undated

How this range was derived

Earliest bound

  1. “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia” — Cyrus's proclamation permitting the return and the rebuilding of the Temple (Ezra 1; 6:3–5) in regnal year reign of Cyrus II (the Great) (year 1) [reckoned accession, nisan new year] (Ezra 1:1)[4]Assumption: "First year of Cyrus" counted as his first Babylonian year (24 Mar 538 – Mar 537); counting from his rule in Persia would be meaningless here, since the decree presupposes the conquest of Babylon.
  2. “Now these are the children of the province who went up out of the captivity” — The return of the exiles with Zerubbabel and Jeshua; the list of returnees (Ezra 2) after Cyrus's proclamation permitting the return and the rebuilding of the Temple (Ezra 1; 6:3–5) (Ezra 2:1)Assumption: Ezra places the return after Cyrus's decree (1:1–11); 1 Esd 5:1–6 places it under Darius — that reading is recorded as disputed and not modelled.
  3. “in the second year of their coming to God's house at Jerusalem, in the second month” — The foundation of the Second Temple laid (Ezra 3:8–13) years later The return of the exiles with Zerubbabel and Jeshua; the list of returnees (Ezra 2) (Ezra 3:8)Assumption: The "second year of their coming" counted from the arrival; 1–2 years later (operator margin).
  4. “In the reign of Ahasuerus … In the days of Artaxerxes” — Accusations to Ahasuerus and the Rehum–Shimshai letter to Artaxerxes; the city's rebuilding stopped (Ezra 4:6–23) after The foundation of the Second Temple laid (Ezra 3:8–13) (Ezra 4:6–7)Assumption: Only the order relative to the foundation is used. The identification of the kings (Xerxes and Artaxerxes I, or Cambyses and Pseudo-Smerdis) is disputed and not imposed on the chronology.

Latest bound

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    What else was happening? (model-independent)

    • Daniel's refusal of the king's food and the ten-day test (Dan 1:8–16): 606 BC – ?
    • Nebuchadnezzar's golden image on the plain of Dura (Dan 3:1–7): 603 BC – ?
    • Nebuchadnezzar's decree honouring the God of the three Judeans (Dan 3:28–30): 603 BC – ?
    • The refusal of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and the fiery furnace (Dan 3:8–27): 603 BC – ?
    • Daniel continues until the first year of King Cyrus (Dan 1:21): 538 BC – 537 BC
    • Cyrus II (the Great) (reign): 539 BC – 530 BC
    • The thirty-day decree and Daniel in the lions' den (Dan 6:4–23): 539 BC – ?
    • Darius appoints 120 satraps and three chief officials (Dan 6:1–3, 28): 539 BC – ?
    • The accusers punished; Darius's decree honouring the God of Daniel (Dan 6:24–27): 539 BC – ?
    • Artaxerxes sends Nehemiah to rebuild Jerusalem, Nisan of his twentieth year (Neh 2:1–8): 446 BC – 444 BC
    • Artaxerxes I (Longimanus) (reign): 465 BC – 423 BC
    • Hanani's report at Susa and Nehemiah's prayer (Chislev, Artaxerxes's 20th year): 447 BC – 445 BC
    • Cyrus's proclamation permitting the return and the rebuilding of the Temple (Ezra 1; 6:3–5): 538 BC – 537 BC
    • The rebuilt Temple completed on 3 Adar of Darius's sixth year (Ezra 6:15): 516 BC – 515 BC
    • Darius I (the Great) (reign): 522 BC – 486 BC
    • Darius I confirms Cyrus's decree and orders the Temple completed (Ezra 6:1–12): 520 BC – 515 BC
    • Gabriel comes at the evening offering with the word of the seventy weeks (Dan 9:20–27): 539 BC – 536 BC
    • Daniel reads Jeremiah's seventy years and prays (Dan 9:1–19): 539 BC – 536 BC
    • Artaxerxes' decree to Ezra in his seventh year (Ezra 7): 459 BC – 457 BC
    • Daniel's vision by the Tigris in the third year of Cyrus (Dan 10:1–11:1): 536 BC – 535 BC
    • Desecration of the Temple: the "abomination of desolation" (15 Chislev 145 SE, 168/167 BC): 168 BC – 166 BC
    • Popillius Laenas orders Antiochus IV out of Egypt at Eleusis (168 BC): 168 BC
    • Rededication of the Temple by Judas Maccabaeus (25 Chislev 148 SE, 165/164 BC): 165 BC – 163 BC
    • The closing dialogue by the river: the oath, the numbers and Daniel's dismissal (Dan 12:5–13): 536 BC – 535 BC
    • Gedaliah governs from Mizpah and is assassinated (2 Kgs 25:22–26): 589 BC – ?
    • Cyrus returns the Temple vessels to Sheshbazzar; the first return (Ezra 1:5–11): 538 BC – 530 BC
    • The altar rebuilt in Jerusalem and the Feast of Booths kept (Ezra 3:1–7): 538 BC – 530 BC
    • The return of the exiles with Zerubbabel and Jeshua; the list of returnees (Ezra 2): 538 BC – 531 BC
    • The foundation of the Second Temple laid (Ezra 3:8–13): 537 BC – 530 BC
    • Tattenai governor of Beyond the River inquires and writes to Darius (Ezra 5:3–17): 520 BC – 515 BC
    • Haggai and Zechariah stir the people; the Temple work resumes (Darius's second year, 520 BC): 520 BC – 519 BC
    • Opposition from the people of the land; the Temple work ceases until Darius's second year (Ezra 4:1–5, 24): 537 BC – 519 BC
    • The returned exiles keep the Passover after the Temple's dedication (Ezra 6:19–22): 516 BC – 515 BC
    • Haggai's oracles of 24/IX, Darius year 2: "from this day I will bless you"; Zerubbabel the signet: 520 BC – 519 BC
    • Haggai's oracle on the latter glory of the house (21/VII, Darius year 2): 520 BC – 519 BC
    • Zechariah's first oracle: the call to return (8th month, Darius year 2): 520 BC – 519 BC
    • Zechariah's night visions (24 Shebat, Darius year 2; Zech 1:7–6:8): 520 BC – 519 BC
    • Crowns made from the exiles' gifts and set on Joshua; the oracle of the Branch (Zech 6:9–15): 520 BC – 515 BC
    • The Bethel delegation and the question of fasting; Zechariah's answer (4/IX, Darius year 4): 518 BC – 517 BC
    • Ezra's caravan from the Ahava to Jerusalem (Ezra 7:7–10; 8): 459 BC – 457 BC
    • The mixed-marriages crisis: Ezra's confession, the assembly in the rain (20/IX) and the commission (Ezra 9–10): 459 BC – 457 BC
    • Nehemiah arrives, inspects the walls by night and calls for rebuilding (Neh 2:9–20): 446 BC – 444 BC
    • The rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall and gates, section by section (Neh 3): 446 BC – 444 BC
    • Mockery, threats and the armed builders (Neh 4): 446 BC – 444 BC
    • The debt crisis and the remission of pledges (Neh 5:1–13): 446 BC – 423 BC
    • Plots against Nehemiah: Ono, the open letter, Shemaiah (Neh 6:1–14): 446 BC – 444 BC
    • The wall completed on 25 Elul after fifty-two days (Neh 6:15–19): 446 BC – 444 BC
    • Nehemiah's first governorship: twelve years, 20th–32nd year of Artaxerxes (445–433 BC): 446 BC – 444 BC
    • Jerusalem guarded under Hanani and Hananiah; the registry of the first returnees found (Neh 7:1–5): 446 BC – ?
    • Ezra reads the Law on the first day of the seventh month (Neh 7:73b–8:12): 446 BC – 444 BC
    • The Feast of Booths kept "as it is written" (Neh 8:13–18): 446 BC – 444 BC
    • The sealed covenant to keep the law and support the temple (Neh 9:38–10:39): 446 BC – 444 BC
    • The fast of the twenty-fourth day and the Levites' confession (Neh 9): 446 BC – 444 BC
    • Nehemiah's return and second-term reforms (Neh 13:4–31): 434 BC – 423 BC
    • Jerusalem repopulated: one in ten by lot (Neh 11): 446 BC – ?
    • The dedication of the wall of Jerusalem (Neh 12:27–13:3): 446 BC – 423 BC
    • The priestly and Levitical registers to the days of Jaddua (Neh 12:1–26): 446 BC – ?
    • The first "burden" of Zechariah 9–11 (undated oracle collection): 518 BC – ?
    • The second "burden" of Zechariah 12–14 (undated oracle collection): 518 BC – ?
    • Malachi's disputations with priests and people (Mal 1–4; undated, mid-fifth century BC): 465 BC – 423 BC
    • Mordecai uncovers the plot of Bigthan and Teresh (Esth 2:19–23): 479 BC – 464 BC
    • Esther made queen in Tebeth of Xerxes's seventh year (Esth 2:1–18; winter 479/478 BC): 479 BC – 478 BC
    • Xerxes I (reign): 486 BC – 464 BC
    • Ahasuerus's third-year feast at Susa and the deposing of Vashti (Esth 1; 483/482 BC): 483 BC – 482 BC
    • Mordecai mourns; Esther resolves to go to the king (Esth 4): 474 BC
    • Haman casts pur and the decree against the Jews (Esth 3; Nisan 474 BC): 474 BC
    • Esther before the king; the first banquet; Haman's gallows (Esth 5): 474 BC
    • The sleepless king; Mordecai honoured by Haman (Esth 6): 474 BC
    • The institution of Purim; Mordecai second to the king (Esth 9:20–10:3): 474 BC – ?
    • The Jews defend themselves on 13–14 Adar (Esth 9:1–19; 473 BC): 474 BC – 473 BC
    • Mordecai's counter-decree of 23 Sivan (Esth 8; June 474 BC): 474 BC
    • The second banquet; Haman hanged (Esth 7): 474 BC
    • Antiochus IV Epiphanes (reign): 175 BC – 164 BC
    • Battle of Raphia: Ptolemy IV defeats Antiochus III (217 BC): 217 BC
    • Battle of Panium: Antiochus III defeats Scopas (c. 200–198 BC): 200 BC – 198 BC
    • Battle of Magnesia: Rome defeats Antiochus III (190 BC): 190 BC
    • Assassination of Seleucus IV and accession of Antiochus IV (175 BC): 175 BC
    • Death of Antiochus IV at Tabae in Persia (164 BC): 164 BC

    Ancient and modern geography

    Location confidence assumes the event as described. Whether it occurred is assessed in the claims below.

    PlaceConnection to this eventLocation identification
    JerusalemJerusalem (Old City / City of David)City whose walls were being rebuiltLocation confidence: certainPleiades representative point: certain[5]

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    Claims, evidence and classifications

    Each claim is classified on its own. A classification describes the evidence for that specific claim, not for the event as a whole.

    The Ahasuerus and Artaxerxes of Ezra 4:6–23 are Xerxes I and Artaxerxes I, and the section concerns the rebuilding of the city walls in their reigns, placed here by topic.

    DisputedOwner review pendingHistorical reconstructionIn owner review queue

    Keil (with Kleinert and Schultz) and Ryle identify the kings with Xerxes and Artaxerxes I: the names match, and the letter concerns the city and its walls, not the Temple. Ryle thinks the compiler inserted vv. 8–23 believing they concerned the Temple. Older expositors (reported by both) took the names as Cambyses and Pseudo-Smerdis to keep the narrative in order; Josephus addresses the letter to Cambyses; 1 Esdras keeps "Artaxerxes" but places the letter before Darius and adds the Temple's foundation.

    Supporting

    • Ahashverosh and Artachshasta can only be Xerxes and Artaxerxes; identification with Cambyses and Smerdis lacks grounds.[1]Strength: indirect·pp. 71–74·Claim checked
    • The second view — Xerxes and Artaxerxes Longimanus; a break in the chronological sequence.[2]Strength: indirect·pp. 64–66·Claim checked

    Challenging

    • The letter is addressed to Cambyses, after Cyrus's death.[6]Strength: direct·Ant. 11.2.1–2·Claim checked
    • Artaxerxes' letter placed before Darius, mentioning the Temple foundation.[7]Strength: direct·1 Esd 2:16–30·Claim checked

    Context

    • Older expositors assigned the names to Cambyses and Pseudo-Smerdis.[1]Strength: indirect·p. 71·Claim checked

    Research date 2026-10-13

    Evidence by type

    The same evidence regrouped by kind of source. Each item names the claims it bears on.

    Archaeological evidence

    None recorded for this event.

    Scientific findings

    None recorded for this event.

    Ancient documents

    Modern news and announcements

    None recorded for this event.

    Reference works and summaries

    Historical disputes and competing reconstructions

    Disputed claims: The Ahasuerus and Artaxerxes of Ezra 4:6–23 are Xerxes I and Artaxerxes I, and the section concerns the rebuilding of the city walls in their reigns, placed here by topic.

    • Xerxes and Artaxerxes I; the section is placed by topic, not in time order

      C. F. Keil (1873), with Kleinert and J. W. Schultz; H. E. Ryle (1893): the compiler inserted vv. 8–23 believing they concerned the Temple; D. Guzik and D. Kidner

      The names correspond to Xerxes (Old Persian Khshayarsha) and Artaxerxes; the letter concerns city walls; the passage interrupts the chronology.[1, 2, 3]

    • Cambyses and Pseudo-Smerdis, in time order between Cyrus and Darius

      Older expositors (as reported by Keil and Ryle); Josephus (Ant. 11.2.1–2: the letter is addressed to "Cambyses")

      Keeps the narrative in sequence (529–521); requires the names to be titles or alternative names, which Keil finds unsupported.[1, 2, 6]

    • Artaxerxes, but before Darius and about the Temple

      1 Esdras 2:16–30

      The Greek parallel adds "laying the foundation of a temple" and ends with the Temple work ceasing until Darius's second year.[7]

    Related passages and events

    FromRelationshipToBasis
    this eventThematic parallelmedium · Historical reconstructionArtaxerxes sends Nehemiah to rebuild Jerusalem, Nisan of his twentieth year (Neh 2:1–8)On the majority reading, the halt of the walls under Artaxerxes I preceded Nehemiah's commission from the same king (Neh 1:3; 2:1–8).[2, 3]
    this eventThematic parallelmedium · InterpretationNehemiah 1:3The wall of Jerusalem broken down and its gates burned — news that prompted Nehemiah.[3]

    Prophetic relationships

    No prophecy or proposed-fulfillment relationships have been recorded for this event.

    Commentary references

    Layer: Interpretation. This is commentary, not historical evidence.

    Guzik treats 4:4–23 as a broad overview reaching into Nehemiah's time; Kidner notes that by Artaxerxes's reign the Temple had stood for half a century.[3]

    Unanswered questions and research gaps

    • Persian administrative documents on Judah's walls in Artaxerxes I's reign not researched.
    • The Aramaic of the letters (form-critical comparison with Elephantine) not researched.

    Research process

    5 logged searches
    DateQueryWhereUseful
    2026-10-13Keil 1873 pp. 71–74web fetch1
    2026-10-13Ryle 1893 pp. 64–66 and Introductionweb fetch1
    2026-10-13Josephus Ant. 11.2.1–2web fetch1
    2026-10-13WEB 1 Esdras 2:16–30local text1
    2026-10-13Enduring Word Ezra 4web fetch1

    Sources

    1. 1.
      Keil, C. F., Taylor, Sophia (trans.). Biblical Commentary on the Books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther (Clark's Foreign Theological Library). T. & T. Clark, Edinburgh, 1873. archive.orgClaim checkedScholarly commentaryRead through the Internet Archive OCR text.Verification log
    2. 2.
      Ryle, Herbert Edward. The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah, with Introduction, Notes and Maps (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges). Cambridge University Press, 1893. archive.orgClaim checkedScholarly commentaryRead through the Internet Archive OCR text.Verification log
    3. 3.
      Guzik, David. Ezra 4 — Enduring Word Bible Commentary. Enduring Word. enduringword.comClaim checkedTheological commentaryInterpretive resource — not historical corroboration.Verification log
    4. 4.
      Parker, Richard A., Dubberstein, Waldo H.. Babylonian Chronology 626 B.C.–A.D. 45 (SAOC 24). University of Chicago Press (Oriental Institute). archive.orgClaim checkedAcademic monographRead through the Internet Archive OCR text of the Oriental Institute PDF; OCR has digit errors (e.g. "589" for 539) checked against context. The 1956 revised edition was not consulted.Verification log
    5. 5.
      Pleiades contributors. Ierusalem/Hierosolyma — Pleiades place 687928. Pleiades (pleiades.stoa.org). pleiades.stoa.orgClaim checkedInstitutional databaseRepresentative point read from the Pleiades JSON record: lon 35.234978, lat 31.7771895.Verification log
    6. 6.
      Josephus, Whiston, William (trans.). Josephus, Antiquities 11.2.1–2 (trans. W. Whiston). Project Gutenberg #2848. www.gutenberg.orgClaim checkedAncient primary textVerification log
    7. 7.
      World English Bible (translators). World English Bible — Apocrypha/Deuterocanon (1 Esdras 2:16–30). eBible.org. ebible.orgClaim checkedAncient primary textGreek parallel to Ezra 4:7–24; quoted only briefly.Verification log